Every parent does their best to create a safe, happy home environment for their child. Few parents realize, however, that way more work goes into creating a babyproof home than simply adding a few cabinet locks and removing sharp objects from each room. If you’re trying to make your home a completely safe area, you need to put some thought into how you’re going to make your home windows safe for your child. If you’ve chosen windows for your home that are a bit more ornate and harder to keep locked, you might want to consider South Jersey’s choice for replacement windows to make some adjustments before your baby arrives. In the meantime, you can help keep your home child-safe by making a few simple changes and adjustments to your home windows without breaking a sweat. Keeping your child safe is easy once you’ve gathered the right tools for the job. If you’re trying to turn your home into a baby-friendly zone, here’s what you need to do to your home windows first.
Use Window Guards
In the past, parents assumed that window screens were enough to keep their kids from getting too close to the window’s edge. However, with the realization that window screens don’t do much more than keep pests and allergens away, parents have started figuring out that when it comes to keeping kids safe, a much more heavy-duty approach is necessary. That’s why window guards are such a perfect fix: They’re easy to install, inexpensive, and keep your child from crawling their way through or out of the window. You can install window guards in every accessible window of your home without having to worry about accidents or careless mistakes, and your child will be safe from any potentially perilous falls.
Use Locks and Window Stops
If you want to keep your kids safe from anything window-related, installing childproof locks is a great way to go. These locks are easy to use, and they protect your kids from tampering and accidentally opening your home windows while keeping burglars at bays. Using these locks, your windows can’t be opened from the inside or outside without your knowledge. If you don’t like the idea of having every window in your home glued shut to prevent tampering, think about investing in childproof window stops instead. These stoppers clamp your window to prevent them from opening any further than a crack. You’ll be able to keep the breeze flowing through your home without having to stress about your baby finding a way to push the window entirely open.
Move Objects Out of the Way
It’s simple: If your child can’t get to the windows, they won’t end up in danger. While many windows in your home might already be too high up for your baby or toddler to reach, there are surely others that are at toddler eye level or easily accessible through climbing. Since babies love to explore and end up trying to climb up objects before they can even crawl or walk, you’ll want to be extra cautious about creating an environment where your baby feels comfortable climbing on top of furniture to get to a window or another unsafe location. To keep your kid totally safe, clear away any objects that might allow your baby to climb up close to the window and prevent them from finding a clear path toward their destination. Your home windows may still be an object of fascination for your baby or toddler, but they won’t be able to access them anytime soon.
Use Safety Strips and Nets
If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony attached to your home, or even a patio or deck, you want to make sure your kid stays far away from the structure’s edge even during periods of close supervision. To make sure your child stays safe, trying installing nets that will prevent any climbing, playing, or even running close to the edge. You can get strong nets that expand to create clear off-limits zones for your kids or basic guards that keep the edge of your balcony from being child-accessible. For extra protection, consider using safety strips, which create a bumpy, rubbery surface on your balcony or window’s railing, to discourage children from doing any climbing or playing near the area.
Keep an Eye Out
As a parent, you need all the help you can get keeping your kid under control. However, even with all the right tools, it still depends on you to supervise your child and keep a close watch on whatever they’re doing. Whether you’re trying to promote a fun playtime session or protect your child from danger, it’s important that you always keep your kids close and make sure they’re not getting into any trouble.